Sink your teeth into this: a juicy steak sandwich, piled high with tender slices of beef, caramelised onion, garlic aioli, mustard, lettuce and tomato. Fantastic for a quick midweek meal or for gatherings with family and friends!
A big, juicy Steak Sandwich!
There are sandwiches….then there are sandwiches. THEN there are SANDWICHES. This is the latter.
I find it ironic that I call this a sandwich because it is about as far as you can get from the ham, lettuce and tomato sandwich that I slapped together to munch on as I was setting up to photograph these Steak Sandwiches. (And yes, I totally see how ridiculous it must seem that I’m munching on a basic sandwich when I have these in front of me but I was hungry, couldn’t wait until I finished shooting, and the last time I rushed photos because I was so starving, I wasn’t happy with them so I had to remake and rephotograph it. #FirstWorldProblems #LifeAsAFoodBlogger)
Other than how irresistibly delicious Steak Sandwiches are in general, one reason I’m excited to be bringing this recipe to you is to share the cut of beef I used for this. It’s a great value secondary beef cut called Bavette that’s part of the flank and skirt steak family. It’s also known as flap meat, flap steak, sirloin flap steak and sirloin tip.
Having tried it several times over the summer, I am now convinced that the reason why it’s not widely available in Australia is because butchers are squirrelling it away for themselves. It’s that good. Really. The first time I tried it, I was blown away. It is like flank and skirt steak but better. It’s more tender and it’s a thicker cut. It has more of a beefy flavour than most more pricey steaks, and is best cooked hard and fast. And you must must MUST cut it across the grain.
Do that, and this is what you get: slices of beef that are so tender with an almost delicate texture. Literally, each slice is almost “fall apart” tender.
I got the Bavette Steaks from Harris Farms – it’s part of their Curious Cuts range. I was curious. I tried. I loved!
I definitely prefer making Steak Sandwiches using a thick piece of beef which is then sliced and piled high onto the sandwiches. But you could also use thin (or thick!) “quick sear” cuts of beef which is usually sold as “minute steaks” here in Australia.
Thin and lean, so even if you use a smoking hot BBQ or skillet, it will be cooked through. Keep it to 30 seconds on each side, and it will still be very tender. Over 1 1/2 minutes, and it will be pretty dry. (Sorry everyone, just sharing my opinion here. I know many people are a fan of these minute steaks).
You can make a basic Steak Sandwich with steak, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise and mustard. Or you could get super fancy and make a really gourmet one. The possibilities are endless!
My Steak Sandwich lies in between. 🙂 I know I’ve made it a bit fancy by adding caramelised onions….but gosh, seriously, it is worth every minute of time (and the very little effort) because it really takes a humble Steak Sandwich up to that next level. Caramelised Onions are like a magic secret ingredient because it’s so cheap to make and can transform the most humble of things into something that tastes so gourmet!
When was the last time you made a Steak Sandwich? I don’t make it as often as I should.
So why not grab a beer, put on the music, sear a steak and make yourself a Steak Sandwich tonight?? (OK, you might not have everything you need to make it, so pencil it in for tomorrow 😎) – Nagi x
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Cubanos – The famous Cuban roast pork sandwich from The Chef movie
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Pastrami Sandwiches – Rye bread piled high with homemade pastrami. EPIC!
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Steak Sandwich
Ingredients
Quick Garlic Aioli (Note 1)
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise , preferably whole egg
- 1 large garlic clove , minced
Caramelised Onion (Note 2)
- 3 large onions , peeled and finely sliced (brown, white or yellow)
- 40 g / 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 tsp salt & pepper
Steak Sandwich
- 600 - 700 g / 1.2 - 1.4 lb grilling beef steak (Note 3)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 tomatoes , thickly sliced
- 60 g / 2 oz rocket /arugula or other lettuce of choice
- Mustard (I use American)
- Turkish bread , about 60cm / 2 feet long (or 4 rolls / buns of choice)
Instructions
- Garlic Aioli: Mix mayonnaise and garlic together. Set aside for 30 minutes+ for the flavour to develop (do not keep for more than 3 days tops).
- Caramelised Onion: Melt butter in a skillet over medium low heat. Add onions and stir to coat in butter. Place lid on (or place a baking tray over skillet) and leave for 20 minutes, stirring once or twice. Remove lid then cook for a further 20 minutes, stirring every now and then, until onion is golden (increase heat slightly if the colour is not changing). Add sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Cook for a further 10 minutes until jammy. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Beef
- Take beef out of fridge 20 minutes before cooking. Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a skillet over high heat (or heat BBQ). Cook steak to your liking - if using a secondary cut like Bavette, skirt or flat iron, it's best medium rare.
- Transfer beef to a plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for 5 - 10 minutes. Then slice thinlyagainst the grain.
Assemble sandwich
- Cut turkish bread into 15cm/6" lengths and split into half. Toast lightly.
- Spread the bottom piece generously with garlic aioli. Top with rocket, then tomato slices, beef, caramelised onion. Spread the top piece of bread with mustard then place on top.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Just gazing out over his playground……. wondering if he should dash out over there or bound into the water over there or go fishing over there (yes, he really fishes photo coming soon).
This recipe sounds delicious, I can’t wait to try. Does anyone know, if I make a big batch of the caramelised onion, how long it would keep for?
Excellent. The butcher tenderised some top side for me, I cooked it like minute steak and all came together amazing. All ratios perfect as always!
Made this for dinner tonight and it was so good. My husband loves chili sauce and puts it on everything. I made him try without any chili sauce and he loved it
Simply devine! Cooked in one pan on a camp fire. Was amazing
I just made these, including the caramelized onions.
Then I put Stonewall Kitchen’s Baby Back Rib Sauce on the table for those who need an extra oomph.
Only to discover: Your caramelized onions already ARE that sauce, but simply better.
Thank you!
What is Turkish bread?
Available in Australia, it’s long rectangular bread roll with soft crust and large open crumb (holes). Ciabatta may substitute. You can see it in the photos.
Wow! Just made this for dinner! What a great recipe! Can’t wait to make this again!
Cooked this tonight for my Dad & husband. We were all really impressed. Would happily have paid $$ at a restaurant for it. Another Nagi success recipe, not that I am surprised. Thx Nagi
This is a quick and simple dish…the carmalised onion is what makes it taste so amazing. I didn’t have balsamic vinegar but used white rice vinegar instead. This will definitely be a recipe I will used again and again…thank you for sharing it
This is a winner in the household Nagi! But I was wondering if we can sub the steak with your Beef Hamburger? We love the caramelised onion but wasn’t sure if it’ll work with the sub.
Hi Nagi, this was fabulous and ticked all of the boxes on a week day night.
One tip, when cooking lots of onions, peeling and popping them into the freezer for 5-10 minutes freezes the gases and stops eyes watering 🙂
Can we just call it aioli. Aioli literally meansd garlic and oil.
Great site btw, my new go to for most recipes.
Made these for dinner last night and used minute steak. Listened to the advice here to do them for only 30seconds each side and they did stay beautifully tender to that was nice. The caramelised onions were delish, the garlic aioli even better and all around this was just really yummy. I tried it with mustard last night and it was good but i had tomato sauce instead in the one I made for lunch today and that was even better so if like me, you’re not a huge mustard fan, I reccomend a little tomato sauce. So good!
Absolutely delicious!
Thanks! N x
I caramelized the onion along with a gold sweet pepper. I did cook them until it became like jam. Stunning, it was.
YUM! That sounds fabulous Rod!! N x
Better than a pub steak sandwich! Deliciousness abounds.
I made this last night. It was so delicious and perfect! My kids asked me to make it again today!
Absolutely delicious, hubby says “the best steak sandwich I have ever eaten, and I’ve eaten a lot of steak sandwiches.” Thanks for posting this one Nagi, it’s on order again in a few days! Winner.
Fantastic recipe!
Love, love, loved this steak sandwich!! I made if for my husband and myself and he was extremely impressed. He said he’s not really one for Turkish bread but he said it all worked so well together. Definitely will be making it again.